UT Rio Grande Valley vs. Texas Tech 12/28/18, Prediction & Odds

Vaqueros vs. Red Raiders Prediction 

The 11th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders are 7-0 at home this season and their only loss overall has come to high-powered Duke. Is a bet on Texas Tech smart tonight as it hosts UT Rio Grande Valley?

Game Snapshot

307661 UT Rio Grande Valley at 307662 Texas Tech Red Raiders

Friday, December 28, 2018

United Supermarkets Arena at 7PM ET

TV: None

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Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Red Raiders are a 27-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 130.5 points. As of Friday morning, 57 percent of public bets are siding with host Texas Tech. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.

Vaqueros earn win over McNeese State

Rio Grande Valley improved to 8-6 on the season Saturday night as it posted a 68-64 home win over McNeese State. The Vaqueros held a 37-30 halftime advantage and did enough down the stretch to hold on. Terry Winn III led Rio Grande Valley with 13 points on 2-of-5 shooting plus 9-of-10 at the free throw line. He also contributed six rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Javon Levi also scored 13 points to go with four assists, three boards and three steals. Jordan Jackson added 10 points and two assists. The Vaqueros shot 23-of-55 from the floor including 3-of-16 from 3-point distance and 19-of-25 at the charity stripe.

Red Raiders impress in loss at Duke

Texas Tech hung with Duke until late eight days ago in a 69-58 defeat at Madison Square Garden, its first loss of the season. The Red Raiders (10-1) led 29-28 at halftime and continued to play well in the second half until faltering late. Jarrett Culver was the lone Texas Texas Tech player in double figures for scoring as he finished with 25 points on 9-of-21 shooting including 4-of-9 from 3-point range. He had six rebounds, four assists and two steals. The Red Raiders shot 22-of-57 from the floor including 5-o-16 from 3-point distance while going 11-of-16 at the charity stripe.

College Basketball Betting Trends

UT Rio Grande Valley

The Vaqueros are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 games overall. Rio Grande Valley is 5-1 ATS in its last six road games.

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games versus Western Athletic Conference foes. Texas Tech is 1-4 ATS in its last five games overall.

Prediction:

What stands out for me here is that the Red Raiders' vaunted defense is ranked No. 1 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, while the porous Vaqueros offense is ranked 318th. I can't see Rio Grande Valley scoring much here, and Texas Tech will continue to pull away. Don't expect the Red Raiders to get away from anything that has made them successful this season and I fully expect a blowout here.

 

NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS -27